April 16 Monticello Raceway results

Monday

Apr 16, 2018 at 4:54 PMApr 16, 2018 at 8:05 PM

NAADA VS. HUNGARY COMPETITION KICKS OFF AT MONTICELLO RACEWAY WITH EACH COUNTRY HAVING VICTORY

To say that Monday was a horrible day for racing at Monticello Raceway would be a gross understatement. With the falling rain, the near freezing temperatures, and the muddy race track, it was a tough day for all the participants. And it just so happened that was the first day of the Hungary vs. USA international driving competition with contests to follow at Yonkers Raceway on Tuesday and at Saratoga Raceway on Thursday.

But despite the adverse conditions all went well with both Hungary and the USA each winning a race.

With the USA team being complemented with members of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA), the first event saw NAADA's Paul Minore set sail from post three with 16-1 shot, Lightning Madison, and not only easily grab the front-end but in the process go wire to wire making every pole a winning one en route to a four-length triumph over Sureimalynn, handled by Hungary's, Kriztian Fazekas. The final time of 2:08.2 was indicative of the track condition. The USA's Monica Banca took home the show dough with Jaybeebullville.

“I got to the lead real easily so I just kept going on and not looking for cover,” Minore said. “In spite of the inclement weather it was fun. Of course, winning is always fun.”

Sent off at odds of 16-1 Lightning Madison paid $34.00, $7.20 and $8.30 across the board. The 11-year-old Pro Bono Best mare is owned by Ruth Ingham and trained by Vernon James.

Minore said he has been fortunate when racing against European amateurs abroad.

“I have been lucky to win three times in Europe on different occasions,” he said. “I won last September against the Hungarians in Budapest and in previous years I won a race at Vienna, Austria, and at Solvalla in Stockholm, Sweden.”

Minore, a retired physical education teacher and high school coach, is proud of having world track and field champion and Olympic multi-gold medal winner, Carl Lewis, begin his fabulous career under his tutelage.

The second USA v Hungary contest was won by Andrea Fazekas who showed real talent in keeping her pacer, Rosie Rozzo, alive in the final quarter after being collared by Diamondsforember (Alan Schwartz-USA) on the final turn and then go on to a length triumph in 2:04 over her challenger. Monica Banca, also representing Team USA, finished third again, this time with Check My Pulse.

In the post race interview, Fazekas was assisted in translation by her husband and professional driver, Tamas Keleman, who is fluent in English. Fazekas said she followed instructions to go to the lead.

In broken English, Fazekas said she felt the nose of a horse that was breathing on her back on the final turn but concentrated on Schwartz, who was challenging with Diamondsforember. However, in the deep stretch Fazekas and Rosie Rozzo went on to a single-length triumph.

Sent off as the favorite in the race, the winner paid $3.90, $3.00 and $2.30. The Yankee Cruise 5-year-old mare is owned and trained by Jody Weidman.

Notable: Fazekas was challenged, to no avail, by her mother, Andrea Nagyvary, who finished sixth in the race with Fly To The Angels. Following the last challenge race iat Saratoga on Thursday, Fazekas and her husband will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary with a trip to the Dominican Republic. ... The USA-Hungary competition moves to Yonkers Raceway Tuesday night with two races on the betting card. The Hungarian team will remain the same but driving for the NAADA team will be Joe Faraldo, Jennifer Lappe, Schwartz and Joe Lee.